The Little House – A German Folk Tale about Friendship and Unity
The German folk tale "The Little House" tells the story of animals who work together to build a new home, overcoming challenges and becoming the best of friends.
Brief Description:
The Little House is a German folk tale about forest animals who decide to build a house together. The story teaches that difficulties can be overcome when working together and supporting each other.
Deep in the forest, among the thick trees, stood an old hut. Its walls were crumbling, the roof leaked, and in winter the cold wind blew through. In this hut once lived a fox, a hedgehog, a squirrel, and a mole. But one day, a strong storm completely destroyed their home. The animals were left without a roof over their heads. — What are we going to do now? — wondered the fox. — We need a new home. — But we can’t do it alone, — added the hedgehog, looking at the broken beams. — If we all work together, we can build something better! — suggested the squirrel. — Together, we can do it! — nodded the mole.
The animals decided to begin their work at dawn. Each took on the task they could do best. The mole dug a strong foundation in the soft earth. The fox searched for sturdy branches for the walls. The squirrel gathered sap and dry leaves for insulation, and the hedgehog brought moss for the roof.
But the construction wasn’t without challenges. One day, a heavy rain began, and the animals took shelter under the old trees. — Maybe we won’t finish the house before winter? — sighed the squirrel. — We can do it if we help each other, — said the hedgehog confidently. The next day, they worked even harder. The fox strengthened the walls, the mole finished the foundation, and the squirrel and hedgehog made the roof out of moss and branches. The work progressed faster because the animals supported each other.
Finally, after a few days, the house was ready. It was sturdy and cozy, with a spacious corner for each of them. The fox took his place by the window where he could watch the forest. The squirrel made her nest in the upper corner, where it was warm and dry. The hedgehog settled near the hearth, and the mole dug himself an underground room beneath the house.
— We did it together! — said the fox joyfully. — This house is the result of our collective effort, — added the hedgehog. From then on, the animals lived in peace and harmony. They realized that no difficulty was too great if you have loyal friends by your side.
The Moral of the Story:
The story teaches that teamwork, support, and friendship help overcome obstacles and achieve great goals.
Questions for Children:
- Which animals built the house?
- How did each of them contribute to the construction?
- What does this story teach us?
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